Real question so real responses please: how is racism defined? I thought I knew growing up but it seems like maybe I was wrong. Websters defines it as...contd.

I'm Indian it seemed like the safest example to make. Also I was eating chicken curry while typing this. 👊🏽

Why you got to attack the curry man... 😞

Well, remember that a dictionary doesn't prescribe "correct" definitions. It only indicates the way people commonly use a word. So, a dictionary definition might not always be the most useful definition.

In this case, it's not. Racism isn't always intentional, and the belief that it is is really damaging (because then it means only the hood-wearing cross-burners are doing racist things and everyone else is just fine). Actions and speech can be racist if they have racist impact––even if they weren't motivated by conscious, explicit racial hatred.

So, think of the picture as a little more complex than the grade-school version, which is "racism is hating people of other races." It's way more than that.

My personal definition of racism is intentionally choosing to belittle or subjugate based on race as the primary factor. Like "all Indians smell like curry". Whereas ignorance is when you think something but don't know any better. It's not intentional. Like "I've never met an Indian so I think they all smell like curry but if I met them and realized they don't I would change my view point". Intention is very important to me.

Slow

@OP: while you're at it, if you're wondering what white privilege is just take a look at this topic.

So if you hold an opinion about straight white males (that they are racist), you are or are not racist yourself?

Male is a gender and straight is sexual orientation.

"The belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capabilities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of one particular race." Is there a better definition somewhere?

Can you believe race is a determinant of human traits (but not the primary determinant) and not be racist?

No! You're race has little tondo with your traits!

Right, but focusing on intention is really limiting. An action can have racist impact if it disproportionately negatively impacts people on the basis of race. Anything that does that is a racist thing, regardless of how it was intended.

Plus, there's no discussion to be had if you focus on what's in people's heads instead of on what they actually do. Focus on the things that happen in the real world and how they affect real people, not on what was or wasn't in someone's head.

I think the latter part of the definition is more appropriate; when you assume someone/some group is lesser than another solely based on races or things commonly associated with people of that race.

The complications come when looking at how damaging/offensive/insensitive the assumption is.

(racial) Prejudice + power = racism

K1, can I haz some pls?! 😍

In my opinion racism is holding certain believes that influence your thinking and interactions with people of certain traits- whether it's intentional or not. Also, I think we all need to be aware of perceived racism, which is when an individual thinks they are being subjected to racism. Tricky subject that requires a lot of patience, respect and understanding.

I kinda disagree with most of what has been said here. I think that's a very western/American way to look at race. I grew up in Russia and the Middle East and was raised to treat everyone the same and how they deserve to be treated. You can think whatever you want of them and their supposed capabilities and how they relate to their race but to not ever act out on that. Basically your actions speak louder than thoughts....everyone is a little bit racist. Maybe not in the sense that the aryan race is supreme to all but more like a tribal thing. You stick with what/who you know and everyone who looks differently is a threat. I don't think power has anything to do with it. I know plenty of people who wouldn't be classified Caucasian who are racist af and I wouldn't say they're the privileged group in society. Just look at race relations between "minorities". None are in a privileged position of power but they largely dislike each other

So I agree the fault does not lie with intention, as actions themselves are what are dangerous. But that still leaves a lot of questions:

If I treat everybody the exact same and ignore race (the way we learned to deal w race in the 90s) it discounts the diversity in others.

If someone thinks something positive about other people due to their race does that still ends up being racist?

If I want to explore a hereditary/social influence on a particular group of people does that make me racist for even asking the question?

I recognize it's a complicated issue but it seems like there should still be a pretty easy rule of thumb. The golden rule of treating others as you wish to be treated seems the most appropriate, but that's also comes across as pretty lame in any real argument.

Thanks for all your thoughts fb community!

There's definitely a way to recognize the diversity of opinions and backgrounds without treating people exclusively based on their race. It's worse when people act color blind and refuse to mention anything about race or any identifiers of a person. You noticing how someone is different from you doesn't mean it's bad -you're just aware they they come from different backgrounds and have different experiences and the point of diversity is to incorporate all of that. Not to ignore people's backgrounds. I think it's definitely fair to learn about the hereditary and social influences of a particular race. It is a socially constructed concept after all. At the end of the day, you are going out there and learning about other people

How does a evidence based stereotype play? For example, choosing with no other information an Asian for a computer related task than a non-Asian. Sure maybe the non-Asian is better and I'm stereotyping, but it is likely a statistically good decision given limited info